- Joined
- May 14, 2018
- Messages
- 1,778
- Reaction score
- 1,083
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Western Mass.
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Make / Model
- Ford/Ranger XLT
- Engine Type
- 3.0 V6
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
- Tire Size
- 225/70/R15
- My credo
- If it's not broken Don't Fix It!
Project: Custom fog light brackets on a 94 Ranger 2WD,
1: What thickness sheet metal should I build this out of? I was thinking 16 gauge but am not sure as I have never used this thickness. My concern is after the lights are mounted the surface that the light mount to will have some deflection when moving, air pressure mostly, allowing the lights so bounce/move/shake because it is not sturdy enough.
I know 20-22 is to thin and able to be bent by hand but 18 is stiffer, not very sturdy, since I have used this in body work in the past for wheel arches/rocker panels. Will 16 be stiff enough or do I have to go thicker?
2: Cold rolled or no?
sub question: What is the difference between cold rolled and, I assume it's called, hot rolled?
3: What to paint it with for longevity? I live in rust country but the truck is not from here so it is in great shape underneath so I want to keep it that way as long as possible. What should I use to coat the brackets that I fab up? I'm not going to go the POR15 route since it is so expensive and I am only doing these brackets at this time.
1: What thickness sheet metal should I build this out of? I was thinking 16 gauge but am not sure as I have never used this thickness. My concern is after the lights are mounted the surface that the light mount to will have some deflection when moving, air pressure mostly, allowing the lights so bounce/move/shake because it is not sturdy enough.
I know 20-22 is to thin and able to be bent by hand but 18 is stiffer, not very sturdy, since I have used this in body work in the past for wheel arches/rocker panels. Will 16 be stiff enough or do I have to go thicker?
2: Cold rolled or no?
sub question: What is the difference between cold rolled and, I assume it's called, hot rolled?
3: What to paint it with for longevity? I live in rust country but the truck is not from here so it is in great shape underneath so I want to keep it that way as long as possible. What should I use to coat the brackets that I fab up? I'm not going to go the POR15 route since it is so expensive and I am only doing these brackets at this time.